Blackberry

Choking risk

Whole blackberries are a moderate choking risk - small, round berries are a shape that can block a young child's airway, and a firm or underripe one does not squash easily.

Use only ripe berries soft enough to squash between two fingers, and mash or flatten them for young babies rather than serving whole. See how to serve for age-by-age prep.

Allergens

Blackberry is not a common food allergen, so a true food allergy to it is rare.^[3]

The natural acids in the berry can leave a harmless red rash where it touches the skin around the mouth. This usually settles on its own and is not a true allergy.^[4]

Start with a small amount and watch for a reaction.

If baby refuses

Tartness and the seedy texture are the usual reasons. Pick the ripest, sweetest berries, and if pieces are turned down, mash them through oatmeal or yogurt, where the flavor turns milder and creamier.

How to serve

6+ months old

Mashed ripe blackberries

Spoon-fed mash, or folded through soft food

Mash ripe, soft blackberries - raw or briefly cooked - with the back of a fork and fold them through a soft food like oatmeal or whole-milk yogurt, or spread the mash onto a pre-loaded spoon.

How to cook

No cooking is needed if the berries are very ripe and soft. For firmer berries, warm them in a pan until they soften and burst, then mash and let cool. Press through a sieve if you want to remove the seeds.

9+ months old

Halved or flattened soft berries

Each ripe berry halved lengthwise, or squashed flat

Halve ripe blackberries lengthwise, or squash them into flat discs, and offer them on the tray for pincer-grasp practice. If a berry feels firm, cook it first, and keep folding mashed berries through oatmeal or yogurt.

How to cook

Ripe berries can be served raw once halved or squashed. Warm firmer berries briefly in a pan to soften them, or cook into a soft sauce to stir through other foods.

24+ months

Whole berries

Whole blackberries are fine now for a confident chewer. Large or firm berries are still worth halving lengthwise, since a big blackberry is close to grape-sized - the shape to stay careful with. Keep an eye on the habit of overfilling if your toddler still stuffs their mouth, and serve berries at the table, sitting down.